I have been sitting on this topic for a while. I am an advocate for veterans, but I do not speak for them. Veterans are more than capable of speaking for themselves. Therefore, my feelings are coming from a civilian perspective.
There seems to be an influx of new military movies and television shows. The reasons are debatable, but one of the good things is that the production companies are casting more veterans in roles. An authentic representation of the military community was a discussion point at many panels this year. While there is room for growth, many experts felt that it was a start in the right direction.
I was able to attend a screening of “Thank You For Your Service” last month. The movie was inspired by real people and some of their experiences. There were a few in the audience that left the auditorium because the pain was all too familiar for them as a veteran. I read the inspiration for many of these movies is to honor veterans, but they are for civilian audiences. My opinions are in no way a criticism of the film but instead recognizing a pattern in the storylines.
Many movies and television shows perpetuate a single image that concerns me. Going forward, when I use the word “we,” I am referring to the civilian population.
So my question is, how much longer are we going to do this?
How much longer are we going to show them as broken?
How much longer are we going to show them self-harming or harming others?
How much longer are we going to show them as lost with no direction?
How much longer are we going to show them as someone that deserves pity?
How much longer are we going to show them as victims?
Secretary Mattis delivered a speech at the Marines’ Memorial Club in 2014, and there was something he said that I always remember. “I would just say there is one misperception of our veterans, and that is they are somehow damaged goods; I don’t buy it.”
I wholeheartedly agree. Secretary Mattis also spent some time discussing growth and an opportunity to become better. The better is not shown on television or in the movies, and if it is, it is a tiny part of their story.
At times, specific demographics of the population fold back into themselves when there is a judgment, bias, misunderstanding, or frustration. I speak from experience, and veterans might pull away from the civilian population because we just don’t get it or chose not to get it.
Many veterans are out there kicking ass and taking names, but maybe that doesn’t sell tickets or drive ratings. We have to do better. We have to.
References
2014 Salute to Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans – General James Mattis, USMC (Ret.) , YouTube. April 23, 2014
